Discussion

Quick eats in New Bern

Looking for some help in this category. Most/all of the New Bern recs on here are for what sound like nicer places. I'm looking for some counter service type places, hole in the wall, etc. where I can get in and out in around a half hour. I went to Thai Thai yesterday; it was great but expensive if you buy the seafood specials, which I will forever be tempted to do if I go back there. I had a fried grouper filet on top of green curry seafood medley. Absolutely superb, even though I had to wolf it down a bit. The more quotidian stuff- pad see ew, penang/massaman/et al. curries are much lower priced, but the seafood dishes all looked so great they'd be hard to resist. Those are in the $25-30 range and I'd like to keep it under $20.

I came in on 55 and there used to be a bunch of taquerias and such on that stretch, but they appear to all be gone. One of them was right next to Thai Thai- El Celayense. It was closed/empty, as was the one that doubled as a Chinese restaurant. I didn't see El Taco Loco, which I remember eating at once, but Google seems to think that it has moved to MLK. Anyone know if that's current? I drove that stretch and didn't see it, but perhaps it's tucked into that big strip mall opposite Flounders and the Golden Corral.

Sting Ray's Cafe may fill the bill. Not counter service but really fresh & good. If you stressed your time frame and requested the bill when your order is served you could be close to a half hour.Parking is tight though.

What about Sting Ray Cafe next to Tryon Palace Seafood. I seem to remember our food came out of the kitchen pretty quickly. Also, noodling around on the internet I found this info--" where pre-ordered shrimp and oyster burgers, soft-crab or crab-cake sandwiches and fish and chips may be picked up with sides of fries, slaw and hushpuppies." Sounds like if you give them a call lunch will be ready when you arrive, and the food was very good. The Cow Cafe (http://www.cowcafenewbern.com/menu.html) has a chili dog on their menu and homemade soup. I would imagine those would be a fast item to order. The prices are certainly reasonable on all their menu items. Moore's BBQ on Hwy 17 S is another possibility. How about Smithfield Chicken and BBQ. I know it is a chain but I do like their fried chicken and potato salad. The portions are huge and the service is great. How many fast-food places come around with tea refills. Another chain is Andy's Burger's. I don't usually do chain burgers but I have a friend who swears Andy's burgers are the best. Do be aware his taste in food isn't the most sophisticated. Let me know if you find a taco place. I do miss them.

Andy's is alright, but nothing special. We have tons of them in Greenville. Although they've never been my favorite because they do the shouting "WELCOME TO [RESTAURANT]!!!" thing which is supposed to ingratiate but just comes off like the Two Minutes of Hate from Orwell instead. I favor casual, low/no ambience places but I have never wished that a restaurant had more shouting.